Fluid mixing device for thermal diffusion apparatus



J. H. GARY June 19, 1956 FLUID MIXING DEVICE FOR THERMAL DIFFUSION APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1953 INVENTOR. J/mzs H. 6am BY @9- M TORNEYS ttes FLUID MG DEVICE FOR THERMAL DIFFUSION APPARATUS Application June 19, 1953, Serial No. 362,038

2 Claims. (Cl. 210-525) The present invention relates to a new and useful improvement in apparatus for separating fluid mixtures by continuous thermal diffusion.

One type of thermal diffusion apparatus that has been proposed in recent years for the purpose of resolving fluid mixtures into two or more dissimilar fractions has essentially consisted of two stationary plane walls of inert, heat conductive material spaced relatively close to one another to form a separation chamber. In this type of thermal diffusion apparatus inlets and outlets are provided, usually in the walls, for the continuous introduction of fluid into the separation chamber and the continuous withdrawal therefrom of two or more separated fractions.

Investigations carried out with thermal diffusion apparatus of this type, but provided with at least one transparent wall for visual observation of the flow of fluids into, within and out of the separation chamber, have revealed that means heretofore proposed for introducing and withdrawing fluids from a plate type thermal diffusion apparatus leave much to be desired from the stand point of uniform feed distribution, uniform rate of flow of fluid between inlets and outlets, and uniform product withdrawal. The present invention is directed to an improvement in thermal diffusion apparatus designed to promote proper feed distribution, uniform product Withdrawal and maximum uniformity of flow of fluid within the separation chamber.

Basically, the device of the present invention comprises a groove, communicating with the separation chamber, in at least one of the walls forming the separation chamber, mechanical fluid mixing means within the groove and at least one passage for fluid extending from the groove to the exterior of the apparatus.

The particular manner in which the groove communicates with the separation chamber is not critical. The groove may simply be open to the separation chamber as, for example, in the apparatus disclosed in application Serial No. 273,739 of Jones, filed February 27, 1952, it may be covered by a porous plate or the like as described in application Serial No. 273,738 of Jones, filed February 27, 1952, or it may be covered by one or more elongated strip members spaced from one another or from one or both edges of the groove as disclosed in application Serial No. 273,737 of Jones, Seelbach and Frazier, filed February 27, 1952.

The mechanical fluid mixing means Within the groove may be any device capable of insuring adequate mixing of the fluid within the groove, preferably Without creating undue turbulence in the fluid within the separation chamber or any substantial portion thereof. One mixing means that is particularly suitable in the apparatus of this invention is an auger type element mounted for rotation in the groove.

atent O The passage for fluid extending from the groove to the exterior of the apparatus may be a single elongated duct or a plurality of ducts of smaller cross-section spaced along the length of the groove and connected with a conduit or the like connected to a source of the fluid, if the device is installed in the inlet, or to a vessel for receiving a separated fraction, if the device is installed in an outlet.

The utility and advantages of the device of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made With reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a side view in cross-section of a portion of a thermal diffusion apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in cross-section taken on section line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view in cross-section taken on section line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing, a separation chamber 10 is formed by opposed walls 11 and 12 and a gasket or the like 14. The walls 11 and 12 may be maintained in their position relative to one another by any suitable means, such as bolts extending through the walls and the gasket or gaskets adjacent the edges thereof, and may be relatively heated and cooled by any suitable means such as circulation of fluids through coils indicated at 16.

In the embodiment shown, the face 17 of the wall 12 is provided with an open groove 19 communicating by means of a plurality of ducts or passages 20 with a header or conduit 21. Mounted for rotation longitudinally within the groove 19 is an anger type mixer 22 having a shaft 24 extending to the exterior of the apparatus and provided with a pulley or drive wheel 26.

In operation, the drive wheel 26 is driven at a speed sufiicient to insure thorough mixing of the fluid within the groove 19 but insufficient to create excessive turbulence within the separation chamber 10 or a substantial portion thereof. The direction of flow of fluid into the separation chamber 10 from the groove 19 or out of the separation chamber 10 into the groove 19 depends upon Whether the groove 19, ducts 20 and conduit 21 are used as inlets or outlets.

It is to be anticipated that many changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art on reading this description. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Thermal diffusion apparatus comprising two substantially parallel walls, the opposed faces of which are spaced apart to form a separation chamber, means for relatively heating and cooling said walls, a groove in one of the walls communicating with the separation chamber, fluid mixing means rotatable within the groove, and at least one passage for fluid extending from the groove to the exterior of the apparatus.

2. Thermal diffusion apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the fluid mixing means comprises an anger shaped element disposed longitudinally in the groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,565,661 Lomax Dec. 15, 1925 2,161,785 Lopez June 13, 1939 2,432,308 Goodyer Dec. 9, 1947 2,541,069 Jones et al. Feb. 13, 1951 2,541,071 Jones et al. Feb. 13, 1951 

1. THERMAL DIFFUSION APPARATUS COMPRISING TWO SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WALLS, THE OPPOSED FACES OF WHICH ARE SPACED APART TO FORM A SEPARATION CHAMBER, MEANS FOR RELATIVELY HEATING AND COOLING SAID WALLS, A GROOVE IN ONE OF THE WALLS COMMUNICATING WITH THE SEPARATION CHAMBER, FLUID MIXING MEANS ROTATABLE WITHIN THE GROOVE, AND AT LEAST ONE PASSAGE FOR FLUID EXTENDING FROM THE GROOVE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE APPARATUS. 